Hyannis Sound a cappella group enjoys its time on Cape

By Marina Davalos

Friday

Aug 3, 2018 at 3:29 PMAug 3, 2018 at 3:29 PM

Ten preppy guys, dressed by Vineyard Vines, sing a cappella songs -- your favorite songs, the songs you grew up with, and so much more (they did a “Frozen” medley that was off the charts) -- and a feeling comes over you when you see them perform.

These guys are super-talented. Singing is their full-time job, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, when they head back over the bridge. While on the Cape, they rehearse four to six hours a day, putting on one to three shows daily, following in the footsteps of their predecessors.

The group -- Hyannis Sound -- had its humble beginnings in 1994 with one guy, an a cappella singer named Townsend Belisle, who wrangled nine other guys with the idea of coming to the Cape and putting on a cappella performances for a summer. They worked day jobs to support themselves while they sang wherever possible, and it was a success -- all 10 of them came back for a second summer in 1995.

The group’s current business manager, Jason Berk, who is 23 and in his fourth summer with the Sound, said that since 2006 the group's members have been able to sustain themselves with their singing (no more day jobs). Members change over the years and are generally college-age or recent grads.

Many first-year members of Hyannis Sound can find themselves under water.

“When you first make it to the house, it's a huge thing you have to get used to,” said LaForest. “It’s fully immersive. We do everything together. It can feel overwhelming the first summer."

But there’s no time to dwell on that. The group launches right into what members call their “boot camp” upon arrival on the Cape: for two weeks, they rehearse six hours a day.

The day is broken into three two-hour sessions, plus 1-3 shows daily in various Cape locations. Once boot camp is over, rehearsal is but a “mere” four hours a day, with a two-hour show practically every day. With that kind of schedule, these guys have to be on their game.

“We make sure we take care of ourselves,” said Berk. And luckily, they all get along well, even when it comes to -- household chores?

For sure, there needs to be some kind of a system, with 10 college-age guys living in one house together. So, a “chore chart” hangs on the fridge, and they rotate.

Some of the chores Hyannis Sound members are tasked with? Taking out the trash, cleaning the kitchen, and cleaning the bathrooms.

“Nolan will not let you sleep until your chores are done,” said LaForest, laughing, in reference to the group’s operations manager, Nolan Roche. “He rallies everyone so we’re all on time."

But what do these guys do for fun, in their spare time?

Social media manager Peter Carboni says that so far this summer they’ve gone to the movies at the Wellfleet Drive-in, concerts at the Melody Tent, and even bowling at the mall’s new Ten Pin Eatery.

“We found out some of us are much better at bowling than others,” said Carboni, also with a laugh, who is 23 and in his second summer with the Sound. Carboni added that meals are great bonding times for the group, and that after a show they’ll either cook together or go out.

“Our favorite place is Scargo Cafe,” he said. “They take such good care of us, and their food is incredible.”

This is Hyannis Sound’s 25th summer on the Cape. The group will be part of pre-show activities at Citizens Bank Pops by the Sea Aug. 12 in Hyannis. They’ll perform their final show of 2018 on Aug. 25 at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Chatham.

Hyannis Sound 2018 is:

Beckett Azevedo, house coordinator, 1st summer, Westford, MA

Jason Berk, business manager, 4th summer, Hooksett, NH

Peter Carboni, social media manager, 2nd summer, Wareham, MA

Matt Goldstein, digital content manager, 2nd summer, Sharon, MA

Jared Graveley, music director, 4th summer, West Hartford, CT

Ryan LaForest, alumni coordinator, 4th summer, Boxborough, MA

Nolan Roche, operations manager, 2nd summer, Orange, CT

Brendan Jacob Smith, merchandise manager, 1st summer, Brooklyn, NY

Ben Vance, PR coordinator, 1st summer, DeKalb, IL

Will Wolz, event coordinator, 2nd summer, Richmond, VA

For more info, visit the guys at www.hyannissound.org.

Marina Davalos is a freelance writer who lives in Cotuit. Follow her on Twitter at @Marina_Davalos1.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.